Difference Between NBR and EPDM

The key difference between NBR and EPDM is that NBR is a non-aromatic polymer compound, whereas EPDM is an aromatic polymer.

NBR and EPDM are two types of rubber materials. Rubber is a material that can stretch upon adding an external force and sink to the original shape after removing the applied force. Natural rubber, obtained from the latex of the rubber tree, is the most common way of producing rubbery materials; however, there are synthetic routes as well.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is NBR 
3. What is EPDM
4. Side by Side Comparison – NBR vs EPDM in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is NBR?

The term NBR stands for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber. It is also known as nitrile rubber, Buna-N and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. It is a synthetic form of rubber that is produced from acrylonitrile and butadiene monomers. The most common trade names for this rubber are Perbunan, Nipol, Krynac, and Europrene.

NBR material is unusually resistant to oil, fuel, and most chemicals. It is therefore useful in the automotive and aeronautical industry, in producing fuel and oil handling hoses, seals, grommets, and fuel tanks. Moreover, NBR is useful in the nuclear industry, in the preparation of protective gloves. This material has considerably high stability in the temperature range of minus 40 Celsius degrees to 108 Celsius degrees. This makes it an ideal material for aeronautical applications. Furthermore, NBR is important in producing moulded goods, footwear, adhesives, sealants, sponges, expanded foams, and floor mats.

Further, the exceptional resilience of NBR makes it important in disposable lab item production, cleaning purposes and examination glove production. Compared to natural rubber (NR), NBR is more resistant to oils and acids. It also has superior strength and does not any cause allergic reactions (natural rubber can cause allergic reactions on the skin).

What is EPDM?

The term EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber. It is a type of synthetic material that comes under the group of elastomers, and there are saturated chains of polyethylene. EPDM is an aromatic compound. The monomers used in the production of this polymer material are ethylene, propylene and a diene comonomer. Its structure enables crosslinking via sulfur vulcanization.

Due to the presence of a saturated backbone, EPDM has much better resistance to heat, light and ozone when compared to the other unsaturated rubber materials such as natural rubber, SBR and Neoprene. Moreover, we can formulate EPDM in a temperature-resistant form of polymer that can withstand to about 150 Celsius degrees. It can be used outdoors for many years without degradation. Furthermore, this material has good low-temperature properties such as elasticity.

What is the Difference Between NBR and EPDM?

NBR and EPDM are two types of rubber materials. NBR stands for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber while EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber. The key difference between NBR and EPDM is that NBR is a non-aromatic polymer compound, whereas EPDM is an aromatic polymer. Moreover, NBR is made using acrylonitrile and butadiene monomers, while EPDM is made using ethylene, propylene and a diene comonomer.

The following infographic shows more differences between NBR and EPDM in tabular form.

Summary – NBR vs EPDM

The term NBR stands for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber while the term EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber. The key difference between NBR and EPDM is that NBR is a non-aromatic polymer compound, whereas EPDM is an aromatic polymer.

Reference:

1. “Polymer Properties Database.” EPDM, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Disposable nitrile glove” Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “EPDMcolorcoded” By Smokefoot – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia